Blunt-Edge Bale Ripper Assembly for Faster Bale Breakdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed mixer apparatuses are inefficient in breaking down baled plant material due to augers primarily designed for mixing rather than ripping, leading to prolonged mixing times as the auger struggles to penetrate and separate the bale effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bale ripper assembly with a blunt-edged ripper device mounted on the auger's flighting, positioned to efficiently pull and rip plant material from the bale without significant cutting, enhancing the auger's ability to break down the bale into smaller clumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the auger is designed primarily for mixing, then the mixing function is adequate, but the ability to penetrate and separate baled plant material is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The auger is designed to perform multiple functions: both mixing feed ingredients and ripping/breaking down baled plant material. The flighting structure serves dual purposes by providing both mixing action and mechanical penetration capability through its geometric configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Specific portions of the auger flighting are designed with particular geometric characteristics (pitch, depth, curvature) optimized for penetrating and separating baled material, while other portions maintain standard mixing characteristics. This localized optimization allows different sections to perform specialized functions
2Loss of time
If conventional auger flighting is used, then the structure is simple, but the time required to break down baled plant material is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The flighting geometry parameters (pitch angle, flight depth, curvature radius) are specifically modified to optimize bale penetration and separation. These parameter changes enhance the mechanical action on baled material, reducing breakdown time while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
3Productivity
If the auger rotates at higher speed, then mixing efficiency improves, but the ability to effectively rip and separate dense bale material decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes dynamic interaction between the rotating flighting and the bale material. The flighting geometry is designed to create progressive mechanical action that effectively rips material at various rotational speeds, optimizing performance across different operating conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A bale ripper assembly for pulling plant material from a bale may comprise a bale ripper device supportable on an auger of a feed mixer apparatus and having a first face and a second face with a perimeter. The perimeter may include a leading perimeter portion for orienting in a direction of movement of the device when the device is mounted on the auger of the mixer apparatus and the auger is rotated. The leading perimeter portion of the perimeter may include a plurality of sections with each section of the plurality of sections being oriented at an angle with respect to an adjacent said section of the leading perimeter portion. An outboard pair of the sections form an outboard tooth of the bale ripper device. The leading perimeter portion of the perimeter may have an edge face that extends between the first and second faces, and the edge face may be blunt.